Junior Division
Graham Reed Bundick, eight, is in third grade at Industrial Elementary East. He is the son of Jim and Brianna Bundick. He is an honor roll student and loves science. His hobbies include fishing, hunting, basketball, baseball and soccer.
Bearen “Bear” Bures, nine, is in third grade at Ganado Elementary. He is the son of Matthew and Jayme Bures. He earned a Champion of Character and is an honor roll student. His hobbies include baseball and Warrior football.
Bentley Jace Cortes, 11, is a fifth grader at Ganado Elementary. He is the son of Billy and Brittani Cortes, and the second grade spelling bee champion. He is an A- honor roll, STAR student, and student of the month. His hobbies include reading, art and history.
Daniel Garza, 10, is in fourth grade at Industrial Elementary West. He is the son of Philip and Nicole Garza. He was the 2024 IEW spelling bee champion. His hobbies include basketball, art and cooking.
Jace Josef Green, 10, is a fourth grader at Ganado Elementary. She is the daughter of Clinton and Sumer Green. She is an honorable mention student and her hobbies include playing basketball and fishing.
Heidi Lee Hicks, nine, is in fourth grade at Edna Intermediate. She is the daughter of Katie Fojtik and Derek Hicks. Her hobbies include dance, reading, drawing, crafts, making science experiments and baking.
Danica Athena Matthews, 10, is in fifth grade at Edna Intermediate. She is the daughter of Daniela and Carl Rayburn. She competes in UIL math, and is a three-year spelling champion for Edna. Her hobbies include volleyball.
Lexis North, eight, is in second grade at Industrial Elementary West. She is the daughter of Logan and Jessica North. She loves to read, learn, and loves school. Her hobbies include volleyball and basketball.
Paige Elaine Price, 10, is in fourth grade at Industrial Elementary East. She is the daughter of Vincent and Traces Price. She was a second and third grade representative speller for her school. She participates in UIL spelling, plays volleyball, basketball, the 4-H shotgun historian, and altar server at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Sayra Abrielle Saunders, eight, is a second grade student at Ganado Elementary. She is the daughter of Kristie Villareal and Ventura Gobellan. She plays softball and is an honor roll student. She enjoys singing, dancing and loves school.
Anna Jane Smith, seven, is in second grade at Edna Primary School. She is the daughter of Dion and Kristina Smith. She loves to help others, and her hobbies include acting, singing, reading, dance, art and drama.
Lexi Rhae Smith, nine, is in third grade at Edna Primary. She is the daughter of Dustin and Krista Smith. She was the second grade spelling champion in 2024, and an honor roll student. Her hobbies include art, and looking at the night sky with her telescope.
Sophia Sobolev is in third grade at Industrial Elementary West. She placed first in UIL spelling and is a brown belt in karate.
Josef R. Storz, 11, is in fifth grade at Industrial Elementary East. He is the son of Dave and Jennifer Storz. He is the District UIL first place chess, A honor roll student, Reserve Champion painting at the JC Youth Fair. Her hobbies include piano, baseball, basketball, tennis, Lego building and cattle work.
Belle Turner, 11, is in fifth grade at Industrial Elementary West. She is the daughter of Aaron and Sarah Turner. She is an A honor roll student and has won other various sports awards. Her hobbies include club volleyball and reading.
Reid Thomas Vincik, eight, is in second grade at Industrial Elementary East. He is the son of Thomas and Valerie Vincik. His hobbies include soccer, basketball, and creating with Legos.
EDNA ELEMENTARY
EDNA JUNIOR HIGH
GANADO ELEMENTARY
GANADO JUNIOR HIGH
INDUSTRIAL ELEMENTARY EAST
INDUSTRIAL ELEMENTARY WEST
INDUSTRIAL JUNIOR HIGH Senior Division
Jordan Marie Anderson, 11, is in sixth grade at Industrial Junior HS. She is the daughter of Kathy Anderson. She is active in sports, 4-H, art, dance and UIL academics. Her hobbies include cooking, sewing, writing, and working with animals.
Charles Bures, 12, is in sixth grade at Ganado Junior High School. He is the son of Brittni and Jacob Bures. In 2021, he was the second grade spelling champion and the fifth grade champion in 2024, both at Ganado Elementary.
Case Everett Coots, 11, is in sixth grade at Edna Junior High School. He is the son of Marshall and Ashlee Coots. He was an EES spelling bee champion in 2021 and 2024. He is an A honor roll student, a Rustler All-Star, UIL 2nd place creative writing, 2nd ready writing, and 6th spelling. His hobbies include All-Star baseball, and playing percussion.
This is his third year to compete.
Suri-Juliette Espinosa, 12, is in seventh grade at Edna Junior HS. She is the daughter of Erika and John-Roland Espinosa.
She is a skilled baker who loves baking sweets, playing Legend of Zelda, reading and painting.
Jaxson Bryan Hover, 14, is in eighth grade at Edna Junior HS. He is the son of Bryan Hover and Nicole Currier. His hobbies include band, shooting pool, basketball and track.
Sebastian Orozco, 12, is a seventh grader at Ganado Junior HS. He is the son of Christina Carrasco and Andrew Orozco. He was the Jackson County Jr. Spelling Bee champion in 2023, and the sixth grade champion in 2024.
Isabella Maria Picha, 14, is in eighth grade at Industrial Junior HS. She is the daughter of Daniel and Randa Picha and Shelby Picha. She has 17 first place track medals, and her hobbies include track, reading and watching movies.
Ashley Ramos, 14, is in eighth grade at Ganado Junior HS. She is the daughter of Angela and Julio Ramos.
Scarlett Rose Smith, 11, is in seventh grade at Industrial Junior HS. She is the daughter of Greg and Catheran Smith. She has been the winner of numerous spelling bees at Magnolia Parkway Elementary, Industrial East Elementary, Industrial JH, and Jackson County Spelling Bee champion for three years. She is also a competitive swimmer, a published poet, A student and 1st place UIL calculator applications. Her hobbies include solving Rubik’s cubes, 4-H archery and riflery, reading, drawing, horseback riding and crochet.
